By David Karas | Correspondent

In an effort to encourage thoughtful prayer and to bring the Blessed Mother closer to individuals and families, a collection of parishes throughout the Diocese offer parishioners the opportunity to host, so to speak, statues of the Blessed Mother in their own homes.

Nancy Martinez, president of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Praesidium of the Legion of Mary, based in St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Farmingdale, said that her group recently announced the availability of the Legion of Mary Pilgrim Statue.

“Based on personal experience, I realized that in having the pilgrim statue in my home I would do my prayers and I would say that in doing so has served to help me in my faith walk,” said Martinez, who has hosted the statue as the ministry gets the word out to parishioners who might be interested in doing the same.  “I found that I had a desire for devotion and prayer.”

The Legion of Mary, according to its website, is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, sanctioned by the Church and under the leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and neighbors on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. Its objective is to glorify God through active prayer and cooperation with Mary’s and the Church’s work.

Each unit, or praesidium, is traditionally based within a parish community and holds a weekly meeting that includes prayer and discussion. Members must apply to join, and each legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.

As the Legion of Mary places a priority on the spiritual and social welfare of others, its members participate in parish life through visiting families and the sick, as well as other activities to promote devotion and worship.

“The Legion of Mary is a beautiful ministry of faith,” said Martinez. “(It) has opened my heart so much to Jesus through Mary.”

Reflecting on the pilgrim statue outreach, Karen Utz, secretary of the Legion of Mary praesidium in the Farmingdale parish, likened the statue in the home as “bring(ing) a spirit of the Rosary into our lives.”

“It brings the family together to pray and meditate on the Mysteries of Jesus' life – it brings us closer to God and to each other,” she said. “The Rosary has been a learning tool with my children over the years. It reminds them regularly of some of the important events in his life and ministry.”

Suzanne DeGrande, the praesidium’s secretary, added, “the pilgrim statue to me is an extension of Our Blessed Mother's hands of love.”

The Rosary, Martinez said, is central to their ministry; it is, consequentially, the first thing that is shared between members and host families when the statue is being delivered to a home.

“It is the weapon asked by the Blessed Mother for her children to use always and especially in today's times to fight evil and bring about change in our families, homes and world,” she said.

The offering of a pilgrim statue to parishioners is one way that their praesidium works to facilitate devotion and draw faithful closer to Mary. And they are not alone in their approach.

The Legion of Mary in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, has four statues that travel to the homes of parishioners throughout the year – with 20 families benefitting from the ministry last year, according to praesidium president Lenore Reagan.

When one of the statues is brought to a home, members of the Legion join the host family for prayer and reflection – a process that is repeated when the statue is picked up to be brought to the next household. That process, Reagan said, facilitates an ongoing connection between members and hosts that extends to the pews at Masses and events.

“When you bring the statue into the family, you meet them one on one,” she said.

In addition to families and individuals signing up for the opportunity to host the statue, Legion members will often approach parishioners who might be in a time of need.

When speaking of the power of the effort, Reagan shared the story of a girl in the parish who was diagnosed with cancer. Members of the Legion of Mary began to visit and pray with her and her family on a weekly basis, sometimes with 15 members present.

Today, at the age of 12, the young girl has undergone extensive chemotherapy and surgery and has shown tremendous progress in her recovery. Reagan said that they have all grown closer through their weekly visits and prayer.

“We are all united as a family,” she said.

Irma Bennett, vice president of the Legion of Mary in St. Veronica Parish, Howell, said that her parish has four statues available for home visits as well.

Describing the Blessed Mother as her personal “heroine,” she said that Mary is a powerful ally for those who might be experiencing a hardship, or are in need of help. She said that bringing the Blessed Mother into one’s home – in this case, through a visit from one of the parish’s pilgrim statues – can bring individuals and families together around prayer and devotion to her.

“You take all of your troubles to her, and she takes (them) right to the Lord,” she said.

Those in St. Catherine of Siena Parish who are interested in learning more about, and participating in, this outreach can contact Martinez at [email protected].